Library

The Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene maintains a library of DVDs, videos, books, magazines, clothing patterns, and CDs that are available to guild members. Books, magazines, and patterns may be borrowed without charge but please return them as others will want to use them. The borrower is responsible for replacing lost or damaged materials. See the catalogue below for a list of current titles. Funds for the purchase of new library materials are generated through the rental fees paid by members who borrow materials from the library. The MEDGE Library also accepts donations of books, magazines, DVDs, videos, and CDs that are relevant to the Guilds stated goals as an organization that fosters understanding and enjoyment of Middle Eastern music, dance, and culture (see MEDGE mission statement).

Rental Procedures and Agreement

The borrower agrees to:

1. Be a paid member of the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene.

2. Pay $3.00 per CD/DVD/VHS tape for the one-month rental period. New materials (first month after purchase) are rented for two weeks.

3. Leave your phone number with the librarian in case she or he needs to contact you.

4. Return borrowed materials on time or pay $3.00 per item in late charges.

5. Make sure the DVD is in its case before returning it. Rewind videotapes before returning them.

6. Use a VCR head cleaner before viewing library videotapes. One is available at no charge at the time of rental. The Library contains two HEAD CLEANING TAPES.

7. Pay a $5.00 repair fee the first time the borrower returns a DVD or videotape damaged during normal use.

8. Pay to replace any DVD, videotape or videotape head cleaner that is lost or damaged due to negligence (such as leaving it in a car on a hot day, etc.).

9. Report any damage to MEDGE Library materials immediately.

10. Contact the current librarian by phone or e-mail before stopping by.

Library Catalogue – DVDs and Videos: Materials are in alphabetical order based on the last name of the artist or the title of the DVD or videotape.

Performance and Documentary:

* Aisha Ali – Ali traveled around North Africa in the 1970s where she shot the footage in these two videos.

* Jamilla Al Wahid, Vol. 1 – Jamilla Al Wahid is a highly skilled and emotive dancer and a popular instructor at belly dance festivals across the country. She performs a number of choreographies in this video including an elegant raks sharqi, energetic sa’idi, and her version of “Amayagueña.” Jamilla embodies the music.

* Amayagueña – Amaya performs Spanish-inflected belly dance both in the studio and to live music in Germany. The studio performance features fan work. There are also clips of flamenco dancers in films and live performances. VHS tape.

2. 40 Days & 1001 Nights: Seeing the world through the Eyes of a Dancer. A musical documentary film that takes the viewer through five different Islamic countries where Ms. Dallal lived for forty days each. Great viewing for the whole family. DVD

* Dances of the Seven Veils – Dances, comedy and skits performed by Eva Cernik, Diana, Rooshana, Shariffa, and Siovana accompanied by the Middle Eastern band Sherefé. VHS tape.

* Delilah: Energy of Delilah – MEDGE Spring Show at Actor’s Cabaret, Eugene with live music by Americanistan. VHS tape.

* Ibrahim Farrah Presents: Rare Glimpses – Invaluable discussion and presentation. Historic clips of Fatima, a Coney Island and World’s Fair dancer in 1883 as filmed in Edison ‘s studio. Clips of the Guedra danced in Morocco in 1950 and in Farrah’s New York Theatre presentation in 1994. Bedouins in Lebanon, 1971. Astonishing performance by Nadia Gamal in 1971.

* FatChanceBellyDance (all three are VHS tapes):

1. Live! A collection of FatChance live performances, including Caroleena’s “belly-fluttering” dance.

* Gypsy Caravan: The Turning – Live performance that dramatizes the turning of the Wheel of Life with dance, music and song. VHS tape.

* Hahbi Ru:

1. Live. One of the well-known troupe’s Renaissance Fair performances to live music by Helm. Folkloric dance, sword, veil, drum solo, tray, and more. John Compton is a consummate entertainer! VHS tape.

* Khaleegy Dances – Saudi dance performed live for television by Arab dancers and musicians. VHS tape.

* Latcho Drom: Bonne Route (Safe Journey) – Directed by Tony Gatlif, a Rom (Gypsy) director living and working in France. The film is a journey through the Romani diaspora. Beginning in India and following the Romani migration into Egypt, Turkey and various European countries, the movie focuses on the music, song and dance of the Roma. French subtitles (written translation included). VHS tape.

* Morocco – Morocco and the Casbah Dance Experience. Well-known dancer and researcher from NYC and her company perform Middle Eastern and North African dance and music. VHS tape. Poor quality tape, but still viewable.

* Raks at the Royalty: Improv – A number of East Coast dancers, including Sevdiah, Fanina, and Natalie perform improvisational pieces at the Royalty Theatre in Clearwater, FL. Includes historical information. DVD.

* Sahra Saeeda – Filmed in 1994, an American dancer then based in Cairo takes the viewer on a tour of the city and presents her floorshow with a live band at a major hotel. Includes Egyptian men performing a Tahtyeb (stick dance), and the star performing a stylized Hagallah. Egyptian-style nightclub dancing. VHS tape. Videotape is of poor quality, but still viewable.

* Suhaila Salimpour:

1. Suhaila Unveiled – Older studio performances by Suhaila. VHS tape.

2. Suhaila Performance Ensemble – Suhaila and her dancers in studio performances featuring a fusion of modern and traditional movement. DVD.

* The Stars of Egypt – A seven tape set of historic movie clips of the great known and unknown “Golden Age” dancers of Egypt. Classic, old black and white movie footage.

* Amel Tafsout in Performance – World-famous Algerian dancer and lecturer, Amel Tafsout, donated this DVD to the MEDGE Library. It includes a wonderful collection of her performances over the years, many to live music. Music and dance of the Maghreb.

Instructional and instructional with performance demonstration:

*Amaya – Star Power with Amaya. A good instructional DVD that focuses on performance tips, including use of stage space, and musical interpretation.

2. Vol. 3: Dancing to Live Music. Your Professional Image. Creativity and Inspiration.

*Shoshanna – Fabulous Four-Yard Veils. A comprehensive guide to the captivating art of long veils in Oriental Dance by the fabulous Shoshanna of Arcata, CA. Technique, tips, combinations, and performance. Features the music of Eliyahu Sills and Qadim. DVD